Made in Peckham Exhibition 16-18th September 2022

Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the Made in Peckham exhibition in the AG.1 gallery unit of the Bussey Building in Copeland Park, Peckham. There were literally thousands of people who came to the festival and it was brilliant talking to so many interesting and interested people over the weekend. Thank you for all your generous and enthusiastic feedback. It was just great to hear how the work is resonating with people.

Wow... what a weekend that was!

Thank you so much to the (literally) hundreds of people who came by, who chatted about my work and especially those who bought a picture.

Dulwich Open House last weekend went so well for me. After the last few years, two cancelled exhibitions, building work at home, and covid generally making everything complicated. It was such a joy to be able to welcome people back here, to show my work and get such affirming feedback.

I sold an astonishing 18 original works, have some commissions lined up and was blown away by all the positive comments and the people who sought out my work, having seen it a few years ago. To be honest it's all been a bit overwhelming.

So now I continue the exciting challenge of creating new work. So I'll be busy in my studio (in Beckenham Place Park) working on a new series. Probably something combining the structured compositions of my (Un)Tethered series with the playful energy of the new oil paintings. And as always some repetitive line drawings too. I'll share on Instagram how the work is going, so do follow if you're interested to see.

@jessblandford

Dulwich Festival Artists' Open House 14th & 15th May 2022

I’m so pleased to be taking part in the Dulwich Festival Artists’ Open House again this year. It’s been a while since we were last able to do it!

Almost 400 artists are taking part (from Peckham to Forest Hill). There’s some amazing talent and great venues to check out. With the Saturday market on North Cross Road selling a huge array of street food, you can plan your route and make a day of it.

I’ll be open from 11am-6pm on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May. I’m showing my (Un)Tethered acrylic paintings, large line drawings and some recent work in oil paints. Please do come and have a look.

Full details and maps can be found in the Brochure here. I’m entry no.48!

DULWICH FESTIVAL ARTISTS’ OPEN HOUSE BROCHURE

OPEN STUDIO - SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER 2021

It has been a long wait, but we are finally able to do Open Studios again. So I’m writing to warmly invite you to join us on Saturday 30th October 2021, 11am-4pm, upstairs at the Mansion in Beckenham Place Park.

I have a new bigger studio space (next to my old one and still with wonderful views of the park) and I’ll have work for sale (large line drawings, and paintings from my (Un)Tethered series), and will be sharing some things in progress. I'd love to show you my new studio and the work itself.

Many of the artists based here will be participating in the Open Studios, and it coincides with the So Last Century Vintage Market downstairs at the Mansion on that day. 40 vintage traders will be selling affordable mid-century furniture, lighting, decor, prints, clothes and accessories. There will be a range of street food vans outside, as well as the Mansion Cafe & Bar serving wraps, cake, beer and good coffee. The Alvar Treefrogs band will be playing New Orleans jazz from the 20s & 30s out on the grass from midday. It’s always a fun event.

You can find more details (including covid measures) and directions here: https://www.beckenhamplace.org/whatson/so-last-century-vintage-market-at-the-mansion-11/

And of course the park itself (the biggest in South London) is looking glorious right now. Hard to believe it’s just 29 minutes from Central London.

If you fancy dropping in, it would be lovely to see you.

Exhibition Postponed

It is with a heavy heart that I have to let you know that we have postponed the exhibition of my work at the Jeannie Avent Gallery in January. As we are in a national lockdown that will likely last until at least mid February, we had no other choice.

As soon as soon as I’m able to secure another date I will let you know.

If you are interested in buying any of the work on the website, please email me at jessblandford@me.com and we can discuss whether we could find a safe way for you to see it in person.

Meanwhile, I hope that everyone is staying safe and well, and that we will be through these difficult times before too long. Until then, please take care.

REPETITION EXHIBITION at Jeannie Avent Gallery - 22-31 January 2021

I am very much hoping to be able to show a series of my large Line Drawings and some of my (Un)Tethered paintings in an exhibition of my work at the Jeannie Avent Gallery in East Dulwich from Friday 22nd until Sunday 31st January 2021.

The themes of REPETITION which I explore seem particularly resonant with the year we have all experienced. The works I hope to show seek to draw attention to repetitive actions, and in doing so celebrate small and mundane differences which are often overlooked. The Line Drawings in particular have a quiet meditative quality which might suit these difficult times.

Ironically though, as we possibly return to lockdown (again) in January, it may not be possible to open the exhibition to the public. I will post details of opening times (or details to make appointments to view) in the week before the exhibition if London’s covid-restrictions make it possible to go ahead.

Meanwhile, if you are interested in any of the works here on my website, you can get in touch at jessblandford@me.com.

REPETITION by Jess Blandford
Jeannie Avent Gallery, 14 North Cross Road, SE22 9EU
Friday 22nd January - Sunday 31st January 2021

Repetition Flyer Jess Blandford jeannieaventgallery.jpg

CREATIVE DAILY DOSE: WEEKS 8-11 OF LOCKDOWN

As my daughters’ primary school re-opens today, it seems the right time to pause @creativedailydose.  When schools closed for Covid-19, I started posting a creative idea each day on Instagram. I imagined it would only be for a few weeks, but here we are 11 weeks and 52 ideas later. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to keep going, and sent pictures of your creativity.  It meant a lot to stay connected in lockdown .  All 52 ideas are on Instagram @creativedailydose and here on my website (across several posts). For now though, adios amigos.  Hope to see you very soon.

CREATIVE DAILY DOSE: WEEKS 5-8 OF LOCKDOWN

Every day while schools are closed due to Covid-19, I am posting on Instagram @creativedailydose, an idea to help people flex their creative muscles. Here are the ideas from weeks 5-8 of Lockdown in the UK. Please follow on instagram @creativedailydose to see the full collection and to receive the daily ideas.

First 3 weeks of Lockdown

More of the ideas that I’m posting on Instagram @creativedailydose during lockdown.

Covid-19 Instagram: @creativedailydose

As well as being an Artist I am also a Creative Facilitator who works with business teams to improve creative thinking.  And right now I’m also a (reluctant) Home Schooler to my two daughters who are 5 & 7.  

When the schools closed due to Covid-19, I started @creativedailydose to share a creative idea a day with friends, colleagues and my local community in south east London, in the belief that creativity is a powerful force for good in frightening times like these.

 Every weekday I post on Instagram @creativedailydose, and on LinkedIn, a suggestion for a fun activity to help us all flex our creative muscles during these difficult times.  

 Strong creative skills are essential in times of change.  They help with adaptability by developing our ability to think on our feet and improvise.  Creative skills are key to resilience as they encourage us to look for new possibilities.  They lighten the load as they remind us to remain playful.  And they soothe us as we enjoy the mindfulness that comes from being absorbed in a creative task.  

 These ideas are suggestions for children and adults alike.

Please follow on @creativedailydose

(Un)Tethered at Cafe Below

Delighted to be following Lineation (an exhibition of my line drawings) with (Un)Tethered, a series of my acrylic paintings at Cafe Below, a beautiful restaurant space in the crypt beneath St Mary-le-Bow, on Cheapside in the City of London. If you are in central London, please do take a look. All the works are for sale.

A huge thank you to Rachel and Anthony for your continued support of my work.

https://www.cafebelow.co.uk

Studio at Beckenham Place Mansion

I now have a permanent studio space at Beckenham Place Mansion. It’s a stunning, but crumbling Georgian Mansion in a huge and beautiful park, yet still in the heart of South East London. It’s run by the same people as the Bussey Building in Peckham and they are working hard to create a community arts and cultural space. It’s a very special and inspiring place. Come and check out it out on one of our artist open studio days. You can see more here: www.beckenhamplace.org.

Lineation now on show

I have seven large line drawings on show at Cafe Below on Cheapside until 31st January 2020. If you are in the City of London please do take a look.

LINEATION

I will be showing at series of my line drawings at Cafe Below, a restaurant in the crypt of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside, London, from November 18th 2019.

Please do go along to see the work, and say hello to Rachel and the team who run the space there. And the coffee there is excellent!

https://www.cafebelow.co.uk

Jess Blandford drawings at Cafe Below flyer.png

DULWICH FESTIVAL - ARTISTS OPEN HOUSE 2019

I will be showing recent drawings and paintings in the Dulwich Open House 2019, at Property In 133 Lordship Lane, SE22 8HX.

Please do come along to have a look between 11am-6pm on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May and Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May.

Or come along to the Private View on Thursday 9th May 6-8pm.

Hope to see you there.

Dulwich Festival Artist Open House 2018

I will be taking part in the Dulwich Festival Artist Open House on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2018.

Please do come and visit to see my work on display.

For more information see:

http://dulwichfestival.co.uk